Closed: Improving recycling in Lewes district

Recycling collections will stay fortnightly and food waste collections will stay weekly. This system is called 'Alternate Weekly Collections' and would apply to most properties in the district.

Download: Improving Recycling in Lewes District - Engagement Report (PDF, 392 KB) 

Why are we moving to Alternate Weekly Collections from February 2026?

Central government has set all councils a target recycling rate - the amount of household waste recycled - of 55%. This will increase to 65% by 2035.

Lewes district residents are great at recycling and what we send for processing is generally low in contamination, quality material, meaning it is clean, dry and consists of the right items.

The recycling rate in Lewes district is currently around 41% and has been for several years.

However, because of the high targets set by government, the council needs to increase the recycling rate in the district. With food waste collections becoming mandatory across the country from 2026, there will likely be an increased national focus on performance in this area, and this is where Lewes district does not perform so well.

• On average, about 38% of refuse collected in Lewes district is food waste which could have been composted.
• A further 37% is comprised of other recyclable items.
• Just under a quarter of all homes currently use the council's free weekly food waste collections.
• Only about 25% of the average refuse bin is non-recyclable waste.

Alternate Weekly Collections are a proven way to encourage households to recycle more of their waste. Studies by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) show that moving to alternate weekly collections typically increases household recycling rates by 5-7%. This can be even more for councils that offer food waste collections.

Most councils in England have already moved to alternate weekly collections, including all other district and borough councils in East Sussex. 

Of 295 councils in England, approximately:

• 239 collect recycling and rubbish fortnightly on alternating weeks.
• Local authorities moving to AWC is increasing all the time and will continue to do so in light of DEFRA's Simpler Recycling which will mandate a separate food waste collection.

The change will mean an increase in the amount of waste recycled in the district and would reduce the amount of waste sent for incineration. It will also mean fewer collection vehicles on the roads.

Most properties will have their recycling and refuse collections the same day of the week (alternating each week). This will simplify collection calendars, making it easier for residents to know when to put their bins out.

Feedback survey

We invited feedback on the proposals via an online survey.  

We were interested to know what positive and negative impacts changing to Alternate Weekly Collections could have on your household. We also asked what would help residents with a change to fortnightly refuse collections. 

This could include:

• Request free weekly food waste collections
• Request a replacement food waste caddy if you are already signed up to the service
• Requesting a larger recycling bin - see FAQ section on bin sizes below for guidance
• Requesting an additional recycling bin - see FAQ section on bin sizes below for guidance
• Requesting a larger refuse bin - see FAQ section on bin sizes below for guidance
• Requesting an assisted collection
• Request a weekly clinical waste collection e.g. for adult incontinence pants
• Claim a voucher for reusable nappies, wipes, and sanitary products to help reduce refuse waste

Frequently asked questions

What changes are happening?

Lewes District Council is looking at moving to 'Alternate Weekly Collections' for most properties in Lewes district from February 2026.

This means refuse (black sack waste) collections will change from weekly to fortnightly. 

Recycling collections will stay fortnightly. Food waste collections would stay weekly.

We will also make collections simpler by having the same day of the week for refuse and recycling collections (which would alternate). This has shown to be an easier way for residents to know when to put out their bin.

Alternate Weekly Collections are a proven way to encourage householders to recycle more of their waste. Most councils in England have already moved to alternate weekly collections, including all other district and borough councils in East Sussex.

What properties would stay on weekly refuse collections? 

Some flats, houses of multiple occupation and town centre properties with nowhere to store a bin off the street, will continue to get weekly refuse collections. If your property currently uses a gull-proof sack for refuse, your property would stay on weekly refuse collections.

Would collection days change? 

For most residents, your refuse and recycling would be collected on the same day of the week. 

For example, if your current bin day is a Tuesday then your recycling would be collected on Tuesday one week and your refuse would be collected the following Tuesday. This has shown to be an easier way for residents to know when to put out their bin. 

We would send out new collection calendars before anything changes.  

Why is the council making these changes? 

Central government has set all councils a target recycling rate - the amount of household waste recycled - of 55%. This will increase to 65% by 2035.

Lewes district residents are great at recycling and what we send for processing is generally low in contamination, quality material, meaning it is clean, dry and consists of the right items. 

The recycling rate in Lewes district is currently around 41% and has been for several years. However, because of the high targets set by government, we need to look at ways to increase the recycling rate in the district. 

With food waste collections becoming mandatory across the country from 2026, there will likely be an increased national focus on performance in this area, and this is where Lewes district does not perform so well.

Alternate Weekly Collections are a proven way to encourage householders to recycle more of their waste. Most councils in England have already moved to alternate weekly collections, including all other district and borough councils in East Sussex.

The change will mean an increase in the amount of waste recycled in the district and would reduce the amount of waste sent for incineration. It would also mean fewer collection vehicles on the roads.

Are you going to change recycling, food waste or garden waste collections?

We are not changing how often we collect recycling, food waste or garden waste.

The day of the week that we collect your refuse and recycling may change to the same day of the week, then alternate each fortnight. Food waste would be collected on the same days.

I already fill up my refuse bin each week, how will I manage with two weeks' worth of waste?

• On average, about 38% of refuse collected in Lewes district is food waste which could have been composted.
• A further 37% is comprised of other recyclable items.
• Just under a quarter of all homes currently use the council's free weekly food waste collections.
• Only about 25% of the average refuse bin is non-recyclable waste.

If you currently have a slimline refuse bin (140 litre), you can request a larger refuse bin (240) here:

Request a larger refuse bin

To sign-up for our free, weekly food waste collections, visit: 

If you have a large household (10+ adults) you can request a second refuse bin by visiting: 

Request a second refuse bin (for larger households only) 

What can I do about the extra waste created from nappies or medical waste?

If possible, nappies and other hygiene waste should be placed in securely tied nappy bags before being placed in a rubbish bag, to reduce the risk of odours. 

Check the FAQ on reusable nappies for more information on how to claim a voucher for Cheeky Wipes products that would help reduce this waste.

Households who produce a bag or more of incontinence waste due to a medical need, qualify to have this waste collected via our clinical waste collection service which will continue weekly after we move to alternate weekly collections.

Request a weekly clinical waste collection e.g. for adult incontinence pants

Is there any help to try reusable nappies, wipes or sanitary products?

Please put all used single-use nappies in a sealed bag, such as a nappy sack, before putting them in your refuse bin. This will help prevent unpleasant smells. 

We are encouraging residents to try reusable nappies, which are better for the environment and produce significantly less waste. We have teamed-up with Newhaven-based business 'Cheeky Wipes' to offer £50 vouchers to Lewes district residents to help them make a swap to reusable nappies.

The vouchers can be used for any Cheeky Wipes products, including reusable wipes and sanitary products.

To find out more visit:

Cheeky Wipes vouchers

Will this make my refuse bin much heavier?

Although it is likely that household refuse bins will be heavier when collections move to fortnightly, experience elsewhere indicates that it is not a case of a doubling of the weight. This is a result of the increased diversion of material into recycling and composting schemes (including higher uptake of the weekly food waste collection service) as people are more inclined to prevent the refuse bin becoming too full.

It is also noted that the National Waste Strategy has introduced a levy on packaging materials as a means of encouraging producers to reduce the quantity of packaging being used. As this takes effect, it is anticipated that this will reduce the amount of packaging and the volume demand in the residual waste bin.

I would struggle to put my bin out if it contained two weeks' worth of rubbish, what help is available?

We offer assisted collections to anybody who, due to medical or other reasons, is unable to move their bin to the kerbside for collection.

If we already provide you with assisted collections, you wouldn't need to do anything - your assisted collections would continue. 

If you think you might benefit from an assisted collection you can apply here:

Request Assisted Collections

Will this cause an issue with smells?

If food waste is placed into the normal rubbish bin, then it might start to smell before it's collected, particularly in the warmer months. This is why it's so important for residents to use their food waste collection service, which will remain weekly. Food waste is the main reason why bins tend to smell.

Will this change attract flies to the bins?

If good practice measures are taken, residents are unlikely to experience issues with flies. Measures include not leaving wasted food uncovered and open to attract flies, keeping waste containers closed to keep out flies, bagging all waste and using food waste liners, placing containers outdoors and out of direct sunlight, if possible and occasionally washing out bins and containers if feasible.

Will this cause an increase in vermin issues?

There is an occasional perception that alternate weekly collections of refuse leads to an increase in vermin or health problems. This system has been successfully operating in the UK for years now and it's just not been the case. There have been studies conducted by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the Chartered Institution of Waste Management which found no documented evidence of a direct link between the frequency of waste collection and any actual health impacts on householders or waste collectors.

How can I keep foxes out of my food waste bin?

To secure your outdoor food waste caddy, put the handle all the way forward. This will 'lock' the caddy closed and prevent foxes and other animals getting to it.
 

What does this mean for the team who empty my bin - are their jobs at risk?

We have involved staff and the trade union throughout the process, and there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of these changes.

Will extra side waste be collected?

For refuse collections, side waste will not be collected unless prior agreement has been given by our collection teams. All waste must be contained within your refuse bin. 

Recycling side waste will be collected if stored in appropriate recyclable containers.

Is there a charge for a new or additional bin?

No, new or replacement bins will be issued to residents free of charge. 

How do I sign up for food waste collections?

Lewes District Council collects food waste separately from your household food waste caddy.  It is collected on the same day as your refuse using our new electric vehicles.  It is taken a local facility and composted into a soil conditioner for local farmers.

If you are not already using this free service, you can sign up to the service here:

Sign-up for free Food Waste collections

You will be given an outdoor caddy, a small indoor caddy, a roll of compostable cornstarch caddy liners to get you started, and a set of instructions. Rolls of free liners can be picked up from Tourist Information Centres and other local outlets as and when you need to.

When should I put my bins out?

To find out your collection days or to download your collection calendar, visit:

Environment First website

We will send an updated collection calendar in advance of the changes.

After we have emptied your bin, please ensure it is not on the path and store it within the boundaries of your property. This really helps people with mobility needs get around the district. 

Where should I put my bins for collection?

Please ensure that your bins are put out at the edge of your property by 6am on the day of collection (collection times may vary).

Please note that food waste is collected in a separate vehicle so will be at a different time of day to your other bins

After we have emptied your bin, please ensure it is not on the path and store it within the boundaries of your property. This really helps people with mobility needs get around the district. 

How can I find out what I can recycle from home?

You can check the types of items which can be recycled using:

A-Z of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

If the item isn't included in our A-Z, please check other local recycling options at:

Recycle Now Recycling Locator

What if I have too much recycling to fit in my recycling bin?

If you squash and crush your recycling as much as possible and you still frequently run out of space in your recycling bin, you can request an additional here:

New and replacement bins

What sizes are the bins?

Our refuse and recycling bins come in 140 litre and 240 litre sizes. These containers are the same height, with the larger containers being wider to give them a greater volume. 

The 140 litre bins measurements are:

• Height: 106cm
• Width: 48cm
• Depth: 55cm

The 240 litre bin measurements are:

• Height: 106cm
• Width: 57.5cm
• Depth: 73cm

How do I report a missed bin collection?

Please report a missed collection here:

Report a missed bin collection